You Can Make Your Own ‘Snow’ With Science

December 26, 2013

Are you one of the many people around the world who had to go another year without a white Christmas? Those of us in the weather dominator-controlled state of Kentucky know it all too well as it snows a lot before Christmas, but never on the day of. If you’re in a similar situation, it turns you can make your own snow with a little help from science.

Hard Science, the guys who proved that you could walk on water with a little help from corn starch, are back again with two videos showing how easy it is to make your own snow. That’s right – you can finally flip Mother Nature the bird for letting Heat Miser rule your town.

The first experiment uses hand warmers to create ice sculptures. Wait, how is that possible? Turns out that the chemical used in heat warmers freezes at 130 degrees Fahrenheit. When poured over itself in solid form, the sodium acetate quickly freezes into a solid and can be turned into a wide variety of ice sculptures. Check it out:

If you want to spend a little more money on something bigger, you can get some sodium polyacrylate. This polymer can absorb 300 times its own mass in water. While it turns into a jelly like substance with too much water, adding just the right amount turns it into a fine powder that almost perfectly mimics snow. Check it out:

While these experiments can never truly replace being in a winter wonderland, it’s certainly the next best thing. Just try not to be too awkward around the cops when they inevitably ask why you’re transporting 25 pounds of white powder.